Writing in The New York Times (4.23.2015), Nate Chinen called Brian Blade “one of the most unaffect­edly charis­matic musicians in jazz.” We couldn’t agree more, and now Jazz Standard is proud to present this gifted drummer’s latest project, Life Cycles. Along with such longtime members of the Brian Blade Fellowship as pianist Jon Cowherd and saxophonist Myron Walden, the new aggregation includes vocalist/vibraphonist Monte Croft; he first recorded as a leader circa 1989 (two albums on Columbia) and went on to work with the groups of Branford Marsalis and James Spaulding, in addition to his own out­fits. As for Shreveport, Louisiana native Brian Blade, from 1988 through 1993 he studied and played with many of the New Orleans masters, including Ellis Marsalis, Steve Masakowski, Germaine Bazzle, and Alvin “Red” Tyler. A member of the Wayne Shorter Quartet since 2000, Brian Blade also has worked with Joni Mitchell, Marianne Faithfull, Emmylou Harris, Herbie Hancock, and Bob Dylan. “[His] rich tapestry of cymbal variations, swelling snare–rolls and asymmetrical accents, cou­pled with an unfaltering heartbeat of a pulse, marks out an unusually emotional drummer.” (John Fordham, The Guardian, 5.16.2008) LIFE CYCLES  featuring Brian Blade – drums Jon Cowherd – piano Monte Croft – vibraphone and vocals John Hart – guitar Myron Walden – alto saxophone & bass clarinet Doug Weiss – bass